In theory, another bill could be "gutted and stuffed" to effectsuch a ban, but there is no likely candidate for this procedure.

However, another bill of this nature (cloned from WA HB1151or the original Shambala Bill, as pushed by API) *WILL* be backnext year.IMHO, it would make much sense to pre-empt this and/or fire offan alternate bill to formalise self-regulation, links togovernment departments, improve ownership profile, etc.At present, I don't think we have a cross-species "LegislativeTask Force" set up, as has been done for WA state (see below).

Any thoughts on this?

Washington HB1151=================This is still in limbo...

The original "ban bill" text has been replaced *entirely* bythe recommendation to undertake a study "identifying animalswhich may be considered dangerous as pets, the potential harmthese animals may cause if privately owned, and ways in whichlocal jurisdictions and public agencies may act to protect thepublic against possible health and safety threats of owning wildanimals"http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Phoenix_Exotics/message/25614http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Phoenix_Exotics/message/26032... In theory, an over-protectionist recommendation off the backof such a study could result in negative implications forherpers ("ever present risk of salmonella", etc. and you canguarantee that API, PAWS & co. will be pushing the scare tacticsto the limit on this).

At present, we have *no* control over who carries out such a"study", but will be seeking to ensure that responsible owner/owner group input is sought, and that a through analysis ofDepartment of Health statistics is undertaken for exotic speciescompared with other day-to-day risks to public health.

To this end, and to address other pre-emptive actions which maybe undertaken before the next legislative session, Phoenix hasformed a cross-interest "Legislative Task Force".Please contact Jeanne Hall ( jeanneh@tds.net ) for furtherdetails or check out the Phoenix Exotics mailinglist.

*** Also, if you know of other groups (not just in OR or WA)who are seeking to take positive actions to counter the current"ban bill" fear, misunderstanding and loathing mentalities,please drop a note to myself, or the Phoenix list to furtherimprove our networking. ***